Arizona public schools would teach civics during a designated week

Public schools would teach about founding documents and related U.S. history topics. The lessons would be included in each social studies course in grades 1–12 at public schools. They would cover the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, and connect ideas in the Declaration to U.S. history. The week would include September 17 or be chosen by the school’s governing body.

Students would recite a passage from the Declaration of Independence. The recitation would apply to public school students in grades 3–12. A student would be excused if a parent asks in writing, the school finds the student has a conscientious objection, or the student’s parent represents a foreign government to which the United States grants diplomatic immunity.

The State Board of Education would ensure schools do not remove religious references from the founding documents used in the lessons. The documents are the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights.